History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests / compiled from the official records of the county, the newspapers and data of personal interviews, under the editorial supervision of Thaddeus D. Seeley.

300

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

INVESTIGATING LIGHT AND WATER SYSTEMS
Aldermen Meloy, Taylor and Weston were appointed a committee,
at the council session of August Io, 1885, to visit neighboring cities and
investigate the matter of supplying the city with electric light.
At the same meeting, Aldermen William R. Rowley, G. H. Turk
and Alf. Webb made a long report on their examination of different
systems of water works. They examined the gravity system of Ann
Arbor, the direct pressure systems of Lansing and Grand Rapids, and
the works at Big Rapids, Reed City, Petoskey and Flint, which also
illustrated the stand-pipe system. The committee collected complete
figures as to the difference between actual ownership, cost of fire protection and the cost of the same by franchise, its final recommendation
being that the city build and operate its own works, and that, in view
of the existing low prices of material and machinery, a special election
be called to submit the question of voting bonds at once.
On October 5, i885, however, the council adopted a resolution to
submit the proposition of issuing bonds not to exceed $7,5,oo0 for the
proposed water works, at the regular charter election. In February,
I886, the council invited proposals from construction companies and
named March ISt as the date for opening them. Professor Charles E.
Green, of the civil engineering department of the Michigan University,
was called to the city to make the necessary surveys and estimates and
report to the council. At the charter election of April 5, I886, however,
the water works proposition was defeated, 573 voting "no" and 418
"yea" on the issuing of bonds.
RESIGNATION OF CHIEF ENGINEER FOSTER
Chief Engineer Foster, of the fire department, made his annual report and resigned his office, to the deep regret of all, April I4, 1886, in
the following communication to the mayor and common council:
"Gentlemen: I herewith submit my annual report as chief engineer
of the Pontiac fire department from April I, I885, to April 14, I886.
We have had during the year three small fires and eight false alarms.
The loss of property has been very small.
"We have on hand two steamers and two hose carts, all in good
condition. We have about 2,200 feet of hose, 500 feet of which is No.
I, 500 feet No. 2, and the balance No. 3. This comprises all the property belonging to the city for use in the fire department which has been
placed in my hands.
"With this report will terminate my services as chief engineer of the
Pontiac fire department for the past thirty-six years. I wish to retire
now from further service and, in retiring, I feel that I leave it in good
hands. Some of the men have been with me for a number of years
and are selected from the best material that is available. They are all
good men and thoroughly understand their business. Mr. H. G. Monroe, the engineer, in my judgment is a very valuable man for the city,
perfectly competent and second to none in the state. He is ably assisted
by Mr. Cass Hurlburt.